In May, we reported that a Sonoma County jury awarded $6.5 million to county MediCal caseworker George Alberigi, who claimed the county’s human services department refused to accommodate his agoraphobia (fear of going outside) and panic disorder when he applied for a promotion. The jury’s verdict included $1.5 million in economic damages and just under $5 million in noneconomic damages, mainly for emotional distress. The court then tacked on $883,000 in attorney’s fees. The county, arguing the verdict was excessive, asked the court to either reduce the award or order a new trial.
Now the Superior Court has slashed $4 million from the noneconomic damages portion of the verdict. While acknowledging that Alberigi did suffer emotional distress, the court said that the $5 million award of noneconomic damages could only be the result of passion or prejudice on the jury’s part.
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